Major city · Austria
Graz
Give Graz 2 nights: old town and Schlossberg on day one, Schloss Eggenberg or the Kunsthaus on day two. Skip it only if you have under 48 h in Austria.
Graz is Austria's second city and the capital of Styria, 2 h 40 min by train from Vienna. Its UNESCO-listed old town sits under the Schlossberg hill, and the city runs on students, coffee houses and design rather than a checklist of monuments. Two nights covers the centre, the hill and one museum; three lets you add Eggenberg Palace or a day in the wine hills.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat), late Dec (crowds)
- Airports
- GRZ · VIE
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Austria ↗Austria is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Austria ↗Motorways and expressways need a vignette (digital or sticker); driving on them without one brings on-the-spot fines.
- Austria ↗Winter tyres or chains are required in winter conditions; hire cars from outside Austria may not have them fitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Graz133 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Graz, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Austria-wide
- SIM or eSIMA1, Magenta and Drei are the networks; prepaid SIMs from shops and supermarkets (registration with ID).Austria-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent.Austria-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10%, told to the server when paying.Austria-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Austria-wide
- SafetyGraz is a low-risk city; the real issues are tram-ticket fines, bike theft and summer heat on the Schlossberg climb.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets in cities cost €0.50 (≈ under US$1); cafés and museums have free ones for guests.Austria-wide
- Emergency numbers133 police · 144 ambulance · 122 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and holidays; Saturday afternoon closures in small towns.Austria-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGRZ Graz Airport (9 km (5.6 mi) south of the centre; bus 630/631 to Jakominiplatz about 20 min, or S5 train to Hauptbahnhof about 15 min).GRZ Graz Airport (5.6 mi (9 km) south of the centre; bus 630/631 to Jakominiplatz about 20 min, or S5 train to Hauptbahnhof about 15 min).
- Getting aroundThe old town is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes and trams through the Altstadt are free for one stop each way from Hauptplatz and…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range restaurant€18–30 (≈ US$25–35)
- Beerdraught in a pub / can at a supermarket€4–5.50 (≈ US$5–7)€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, 10-minute rideBase fare about €4.90 (check).€12–15 (≈ US$14–18)
- Metro or bus rideTram or bus single ticket€3.30 (≈ US$4) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Kunsthaus, Zeughaus, Eggenberg)€3–13 (≈ US$4–16)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GRZ Graz Airport (9 km (5.6 mi) south of the centre; bus 630/631 to Jakominiplatz about 20 min, or S5 train to Hauptbahnhof about 15 min) · VIE Vienna International Airport (Railjet or bus to Graz, about 3 h; some direct, some change at Wien Hbf)GRZ Graz Airport (5.6 mi (9 km) south of the centre; bus 630/631 to Jakominiplatz about 20 min, or S5 train to Hauptbahnhof about 15 min) · VIE Vienna International Airport (Railjet or bus to Graz, about 3 h; some direct, some change at Wien Hbf)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid*
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Graz: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes and trams through the Altstadt are free for one stop each way from Hauptplatz and Jakominiplatz. Trams and buses run 05:00–midnight; buy and validate before boarding or pay a €60 fine. Bikes are a real option: the city is flat and has a dense cycle-path network.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Schloss Eggenberg
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Tram 1 towards Eggenberg/UKH, then a short walk
Baroque state rooms and gardens; guided tours run through the day. Closed 1 Jan–23 Mar.
Bruck an der Mur
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Train from Hauptbahnhof
Small old town on the Mur; pairs well with a half-day.
Spielberg (Red Bull Ring)
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Train to Knittelfeld or Spielberg, then local transport
Only worth the trip on a race or event weekend; check the calendar first.
Leoben
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Train from Hauptbahnhof
Mining and university town; a short stop, not a full day.
Murau
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Train via Unzmarkt, then bus
Too far for a return day; sleep one night in the Mur valley.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Altstadt (old town)
Herrengasse, Hauptplatz and the lanes around them; walk to everything, quietest at night, priciest.
Jakomini
South of the centre around Jakominiplatz, the tram hub; 10–15 min walk to Hauptplatz, good mid-range hotels.
Around Hauptbahnhof
Cheapest beds and easiest with bags; 20 min walk or one tram to the old town.
Lend
West bank of the Mur near the Kunsthaus; student bars, cheaper rooms, 5–10 min walk to the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €100–150 (≈ US$120–180) excl. bed
- High
- €180 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × €140 | €280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Airport bus 630/631, both ways2 × €7 · check | €13 |
| 24-hour tram and bus ticket, one day2 × €7 · check | €14 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €78 |
| Trip total≈ €214 per person per day, bed included | €855≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Beer: draught in a pub / can at a supermarket | €4–5.50 (≈ US$5–7) / €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Lunch, one course | €10–16 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Dinner, mid-range restaurant | €18–30 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Tram or bus single ticket | €3.30 (≈ US$4) (check) |
| Taxi, 10-minute rideBase fare about €4.90 (check). | €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
| Museum entry (Kunsthaus, Zeughaus, Eggenberg) | €3–13 (≈ US$4–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Validate your tram or bus ticket before boarding; inspectors fine €60 (≈ US$70) on the spot.
- Bike theft is common — lock to a fixed bar, not just the frame.
- Tram rails catch bike wheels; cross them at a right angle.
- Schloss Eggenberg is closed from 1 January to 23 March.
- Parking in the centre is metered Mon–Fri 09:00–20:00 and Sat 09:00–13:00; fines are €25 (≈ US$30).Parking in the centre is metered Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–8:00 PM and Sat 9:00 AM–1:00 PM; fines are €25 (≈ US$30).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 133
- Ambulance
- 144
- Fire
- 122
- European emergency
- 112
- Mountain rescue
- 140
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GrazGraz
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police133
- Ambulance144
- Fire122
- European emergency112
Embassy
Austria has no US consulate in Graz; the US embassy is in Vienna. Most other countries also keep embassies in Vienna (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Graz Airport → Jakominiplatz, bus 630/631: €3.30 (≈ US$4), about 20 min (check)
- Graz Hauptbahnhof → Hauptplatz, tram: €3.30 (≈ US$4) single, about 10 min (check)
- Taxi airport → centre: €35–39 (≈ US$45–50) (check)
Say or show
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me / Sorry (ent-SHOOL-dee-goong)
- Danke — Thank you (DAHN-kuh)
- Das da, bitte — This one, please (dahs dah, BIT-tuh)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (vee feel KOS-tet dahs)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kahn ikh mit KAR-tuh TSAH-len)
- Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the toilet? (voh ist dee toy-LET-tuh)
Trams through the Altstadt are free for one stop each way from Hauptplatz and Jakominiplatz.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Graz. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat), late Dec (crowds) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GRZ: last S5 and bus 630/631 departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Hauptplatz and Herrengasse, Schlossberg, Lend and Kunsthaus, Jakomini.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Schlossbergbahn, Kunsthaus, Zeughaus, Schloss Eggenberg) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures for the Christmas markets and the summer festival so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialGraz Tourism
- officialCity of Graz
- officialGraz Airport
- officialHolding Graz — GrazMobil app and tickets
- officialMuseum Joanneum — Schloss Eggenberg
- officialMuseum Joanneum — Kunsthaus Graz
- officialMuseum Joanneum — Styrian Armoury
- secondaryWikivoyage: Graz, revision 5332022 (CC BY-SA 4.0)